In exchange for the release of the men, the insurgents have demanded that the Iranian government release 50 prisoners belonging to their group, 300 other prisoners they describe as “Sunite citizens,” and 50 women they claim are held in revolutionary guard prisons in Syria.

Jaish-al-Adl (considered a terrorist group by Iran) operate in Sistan-Baluchestan[3], one of Iran's largest and poorest provinces, which is home to 2 million Sunni-muslims. The ethnic Baloch and Sunni-muslim insurgents in the area have been demanding more autonomy from the Shia-government in Tehran in recent years.

Iranians have been mourning Danaeifard's death on Twitter on the hashtag #FreeIranianSoldiers[4], and continue to fear for the fate of the four other men. Some have also shared artwork[5] (like the image above) on Twitter as a tribute.

On Twitter, Masood says the murdered soldier was a young father who never had the chance to see his newborn child. He tweeted[6]:

#FreeIranianSoldiers[6] How sad is the way world don't care death of a father who didn't see his new born, unnamed child!